Qobuz Connect

I just abandoned my Ifi zen stream as an Roon endpoint and bought a WiiM ultra. Been playing around with Qobuz connect, Roon and the WiiM software interface.  Roons software is by far the best, but the Qobuz connect sounds identical to me.  The WiiM was simple to set up and completely reliable, I’m very impressed.

We’re living in a small apartment while we search for our retirement landing spot, so I’m using a Rega Brio, Denafrips Ares and the WiiM feeding a pair of QLN stand mounts. Sounds cracking good for the $. 

@billsw @bassbuyer 

I wonder if bassbuyer is onto something about resolution changes on the same album streamed on Qobuz.  I used to own a dCS Rossini DAC/Streamer and I remember if the album on Qobuz contained hi-res and Redbook tracks on the same album, Qobuz would play the hi-res tracks and skip all Redbook tracks.  An example of this was Genesis' 'Lamb Lies Down on Broadway'.  I now have a Wadax Studio Player and I can't test this as Qobuz seemed to remove the Redbook tracks from that album.  

@billsw 

Qobuz Connect uses Wifi and connects directly to streamers.

I find the whole Qobuz ecosystem extremely confusing, and I think some of the confusion is deliberately done by the French!  I find your statement confusing too.

It seems to me that Qobuz Connect does not have to use WiFi - hardwired Ethernet is equally valid.  What does 'connects directly to streamers' actually mean?

Seems to me Qobuz transmits music digitally between Qobuz servers and endpoints.  The endpoints must run Qobuz software (an app) and may be streamers.  Many hardware vendors include a Qobuz app in their software, or you can run a Qobuz app on your Apple or Android phone, and Apple and Microsoft PC..

Qobuz Connect seems to run on top of Qobuz and will keep playing the same track when you change your endpoint device.  Am I wrong?

richardbrand

I find the whole Qobuz ecosystem extremely confusing ...

It is extremely simple. Qobuz has long had its own app to run on Windows, iOS, and Android.

Many audio streamers have also incorporated the ability to stream Qobuz within the software on their devices, and that interface and functionality ranges from fairly crude to fairly slick.

Qobuz Connect is the latest innovation and is installed on your streamer. It will likely offer a much more rich experience because it uses the Qobuz app rather than your streamer’s native Qobuz interface for control.

For Qobuz Connect to work, your device manufacturer will have to modify its software. Many already have.

For me, the most interesting thing about Qobuz Connect is its ability to switch end-point players mid-stream.  For example, I'm playing a track on my phone using my headphones while out for a walk. Then I go through the front door while halfway through the song and switch playback to my main stereo without missing a beat.  I could even go to a friend's house, who does not have a Qobuz subscription, and play my Qobuz tracks on his stereo if he has a QC compatible streamer connected to the internet. 

While interesting, I really don't have a big use for this feature.  I also don't hear any difference between QC and my other playback program options -- the digital music stream still has to travel over the internet direct to the player.  QC is a nice way to select and play music, but it is limited to only that. It has no way to play from your local collection.